Trade Commissioner Service > Trade missions and events > Indigenous business delegation to Texas and Oklahoma

Indigenous business delegation to Texas and Oklahoma

The Trade Commissioner Service is organizing a business delegation to Dallas, Texas, Oklahoma City and Norman, Oklahoma, May 30 – June 4, 2019.

With over 50 Fortune 500 companies that proudly call Texas and Oklahoma home, a focussed networking and business to business (B2B) program in Dallas and Oklahoma City will give delegates the opportunity to connect with industry leaders from the United States. During this part of the business program, participants will learn about supplier diversity and supply chain opportunities in the southern U.S. market.

In Norman, Oklahoma, delegates are encouraged to participate in the Sixth International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference, where traders and experts come together for the purpose of increasing the global exchange of Indigenous goods, services and investments. Here, participants can take advantage of inter-tribal networks and hear from expert panels on international inter-tribal trade (particularly between Canada, the United States, and New Zealand).

Event details

Date: May 30 – June 4, 2019
Cities: Dallas, Texas, Oklahoma City and Norman, Oklahoma

Sectors of focus

Multi-sectoral, including:

• Aerospace
• Agriculture and agri-food
• Automotive
• Cleantech
• Energy (including oil and gas)
• Information and telecommunications technology (ICT)

Who should participate?

• Canadian Indigenous businesses focussed on the areas of aerospace, agriculture and agri-food, automotive, cleantech, energy (including oil and gas) and ICT, seeking business and networking opportunities in Dallas and Oklahoma.
• Canadian Indigenous businesses looking to learn more about U.S. supplier diversity programs and/or seeking supply chain opportunities in the U.S.

Program at a glance

*All program elements are subject to change

Dallas, Texas

• May 30 – Full-day program will include business briefings, networking luncheon and business-to-business (or Indigenous-to-Indigenous) meetings.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• May 31-June 1 – Program will include a networking luncheon, business-to-business (or Indigenous-to-Indigenous) meetings and possible site visits.

Norman, Oklahoma

• June 2 -June 4 – Attend the Sixth International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference

What is the Sixth International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference?

This unique event brings together Indigenous business representatives and economic development officers with international experts in Indigenous trade law to educate Indigenous communities and businesses on international inter-tribal trade and investment. Discussions will identify challenges and solutions in key areas such as Indigenous International Trade provisions, the Jay Treaty, CUSMA (formerly NAFTA), Canada/U.S. border crossing for Indigenous Trade and developing real trade opportunities for Indigenous communities in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand.

The conference program includes:

• Expert panels focussed on supply chains, financing and on international inter-tribal trade and investment
• Tour of Oklahoma-based enterprises seeking international inter-tribal trade and affiliates of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Chickasaw Nation, and Choctaw Nation
• Business-to-business mixer – Export Café

Costs

• Sixth International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference registration fee: US $300/person.
• The costs of conference registration, flights and accommodations, as well as other travel expenses, are the responsibility of the participants.

Funding

Financial assistance may be available to registered participants through the Trade Commissioner Service’s (TCS) CanExport program. CanExport provides direct financial assistance for a wide range of export marketing activities to help Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) develop new export opportunities and markets.

Refer to CanExport to find out whether your company is eligible for funding.

Note:  As it can take up to 25 business days to render decisions on applications, it is highly recommended that you enquire and apply early!

Registration

Contact

Contact TCS.IndigenousBusiness@international.gc.ca for more information.